Choosing bedding for your baby

There are countless things to consider when it comes to creating a safe home for your baby,
with cot bedding being one of those important choices. Good quality sleep is important for all
of us, including your baby. Keep reading for our tips on choosing the best cot mattress and cot
bedding for our newborn.

Choosing a cot mattress

Your baby’s cot mattress should be firm, not soft. Test it out by pushing your hand into the
mattress, and if it takes a long time for the mattress to return to its original shape, it’s too soft.
The mattress should snap back to its original shape quickly. A mattress that is too soft is a
suffocation hazard. Additionally, firm mattresses give babies the skeletal support they need as
they grow.
Sealy cot mattresses are specially designed to give babies the support they need as they grow.
We use only top quality, natural, non-allergenic materials, with an aloe vera fabric covering
that allows the breathability of the mattress. In terms of durability, the fabric is washable with
mild soap and a cloth.


Choosing cot bedding


All your baby needs to sleep comfortably is a fitted cot mattress protector, a fitted sheet and a
baby sleeping bag or wearable blanket.
A waterproof cot mattress protector will help ensure the hygiene of your baby’s sleep area,
protecting the mattress from stains and making cleaning up quicker and easier. The Sealy
Posturepedic® Soft Touch Bamboo Mattress Protector featuring a Two-Way Stretch Skirt that
fits snuggly over most cot mattresses. Using a waterproof mattress protector will help prolong
the life of the cot mattress.

The fitted sheet, which goes over the mattress protector, should fit snuggly over the mattress.
If you are using an older sheet, double-check to ensure the elastic skirt is still firm enough to
hold the sheet in place.

It’s important to choose a fitted sheet and mattress protector made out of a lighter,
breathable, hypoallergenic fabric. Newborns are unable to regulate their own body
temperature, with the biggest risk being that they overheat, especially with South Africa’s
warm summers. The correct cot bedding will keep your baby cool and comfortable throughout
the night.

Most new parents love the idea of decorating the cot with bumpers, stuffed animals, pillows
and a designer blanket, but this is against infant sleep guidelines released by the American
Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) in 2022. According to the guidelines, a baby’s cot should have no
blankets, pillows, soft bedding, or cot décor. Instead of a blanket, use infant sleep clothing,
such as a wearable blanket or a swaddle.
If choosing a wearable blanket or a baby sleeping bag, don’t buy one with a hood, and also be
sure to purchase the correct blanket for your baby’s size. Although it’s tempting to buy a
bigger wearable blanket for your baby to grow into, this is risky because your baby could slide
down into the blanket/bag.

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